Reza Mahmud :
Amid huge energy crisis and demands of clean and renewable energies, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Thursday instructed to install solar panels on the rooftops of all government buildings across the country.
He issued the directive to the relevant authorities to initiate the generation of electricity by during a meeting on the ‘National Rooftop Solar Programme’ held at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Energy experts welcomed the move saying if the government become strict on the issue, it will be vital measure for overcoming the power crisis and accomplish the wants of renewable energy.
When contacted, eminent energy expert Professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain told The New Nation on Thursday, “The initiative is of course very good. But the government has to prepare well strategy for coping the plan.”
He said, there are several matters on the initiative including taking realistic policy with funding details.
“Who will give the money and how could it repaid it has to solve at the begging,” he said.
Contacted, renowned energy expert Professor Shamsul Alam told The New Nation on Thursday, “Government has to get ability to implement the scheme. It has to be strict so that the programme does not become the solar panel business like the previous incidents.”
The expert stressed for keeping the price of per unit electricity within Tk 7:00 to 7:50 and recommended to provide the power to the national grid for the success of the initiative of the Chief Adviser.
Officials attending the CA’s meeting noted that, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 2024 report, Bangladesh lags significantly behind its neighboring countries in expanding solar energy use and meeting renewable targets.
India currently generates 24% of its electricity from solar power, Pakistan 17.16%, and Sri Lanka 39.7%, while Bangladesh generates only 5.6%.
As outlined in the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, Bangladesh aims to meet 20% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040.
To move toward this goal, tenders have already been invited for 55 land-based solar power projects with a combined capacity of 5,238 MW. However, officials noted that these projects may not be fully operational until 2028.
In light of this, the Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of swiftly implementing the ‘National Rooftop Solar Programme’.
He further directed the installation of rooftop solar systems on all government buildings, including schools, colleges, madrasas, and hospitals.
Yunus suggested exploring private sector involvement in these installations, stating, “Consider whether private entities can handle the installation and maintenance of solar panels on government buildings.
If they operate the systems as part of their business model, they will ensure better efficiency. The government will simply provide the rooftop space; the private partners will manage the rest.”
He also stressed the importance of learning from the institutions that have already adopted rooftop solar systems: “We need to understand the challenges they’ve faced and work to overcome those issues,” Prof Yunus said.
Under this initiative, government schools, colleges, and madrasas would be exempt from paying electricity bills, and the institutions would also receive rent for allowing the use of their rooftops for solar energy production.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and senior officials from various ministries were present at the meeting.
